Episode 14: Mashups: The Twist

Posted on April 27, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Another Idle Red Hands first (for us, at least)! We debut Mashups, where we blend different elements to make new(ish) game settings. In this episode, we add twists to fictional and historical settings.

It’s an extra long episode (or as the Japanese say, plus alpha) because we had so much fun doing the first two mashups, we decided to do a third one. How much fun they are to listen to is up to you. The consensus is that the first one is the weakest link (or as the Japanese say, the red-headed stepchild).

Corrections:

The Hyborian Age is set after Atlantis sank, not before. Kull is part of the Thurian Age, not the Hyborian Age, and is actually from Atlantis. Both were created by Robert E. Howard. Lyal has since turned in his Conan Fan Club card.

Kirk Douglas was a contemporary of Burt Lancaster, not Kurt Russell. Yes, Lyal again. He refuses to turn in his Kurt Russell Fan Club card, however.

Jason Straham was in Crank, not Crash. Chris was going to turn in his Jason Straham Fan Club card until he was reminded that it was the only one in existence.

Episode 13: Creature Feature: Werepocalypse

Posted on April 20, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

In our debut Creature Feature, we shine the moonlight on werewolves. We discuss werewolf legends and movies and how to run werewolf antagonists and protagonists. We also talk about The Werewolf of Washington a lot. Never heard of it? There’s a reason for that.

Lyal forgot his notes at home, so “skin-walkers” become “skin-changers” and “The Beast of Gevaudan” becomes “The Beast of B-something”. Chris’s research seems to have consisted of after school specials on safe sex. Wayne is allegedly from the “ghetto”, which explains why Lyal and Chris lose it when he tells his wrapping tube story.

Despite this, we come up with a pretty decent setting to play werewolves in. Can you handle the Werepocalypse?

Kansai JIGG Golden Week Convention

Posted on April 18, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Some of the hosts of Idle Red Hands will be attending the Kansai JIGG (Japan International Gamers Guild) Golden Week convention on Saturday April 30th and Sunday May 1st.

The convention runs from April 29th to May 2nd, so if you’re in the Osaka area during Golden Week, you should come on down. We might see you there.

More information, including a full schedule and directions to the venue can be found on the Kansai JIGG’s website, here. Or you can contact them directly at “KansaiGamesConvention2011@gmail.com”.

Episode 12: Campaign Confessions: Taking a Bite Out of Detroit Part 2

Posted on April 15, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

One Vampire: The Requiem episode! AH AH AH! Two Vampire: The Requiem episodes! AH AH AH! I love it!

In Part 2, we look at Lyal’s Detroit campaign. Lyal is thin-skinned, which explains why Wayne, Chris, and Yujiro aren’t so hard on his campaign. Lyal also loves to complain, which explains why he has some choice words for that “Lyal guy”.

We cover flashforwards, intraparty conflict, working in new players, and playing in real time.

Yujiro guest hosts again (we don’t seem to understand the concept of a guest host). Chris’s soon-to-be-wife, Saori, does the opening for this episode.

Episode 11: Campaign Confessions: Taking a Bite Out of Detroit Part 1

Posted on April 13, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Special offer! Download Part 1 for free and get Part 2 for the low, low price of nothing. Offer expires in 2056.

In this installment of Campaign Confessions, we look at the World of Darkness system and the Vampire: The Requiem setting and system. We also explain how we track blood/glamour, health, and damage in Vampire and Changeling. (There’s some dispute over who gets credit for that.)

Yujiro guest hosts.

Episode 10: Losing my Religion

Posted on April 6, 2011 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

No guest stars this episode; we stick with the Holy Trinity of Lyal, Chris and Wayne. (Did you see what we did there?)

Rather than focus on specific faiths, myths and rituals in this episode, we look at how religion, in general, would impact your game setting. This includes the tendency to tie faith to power and the idea that “science is the new religion”. We also discuss whether it’s fair to spring setting and rule surprises on players.

We hope to revisit this topic in the future because it’s so big.

Although we talk about religion, we manage to not offend any world faiths. Chris does cost us our creationist listeners, however.